Deadly Affairs

Chapter 19

Vivian's mind raced as she navigated through the city streets, her thoughts split between her mission and the lie she had just sold Delgado. She knew he was growing increasingly suspicious, and her instincts told her he wouldn't stop testing her loyalty anytime soon.

Tonight, she and Dominic would be getting closer to the truth—and deeper into danger.

The Private Dock

It was nearly midnight by the time they reached the dock Dominic had mentioned. It lay hidden off a deserted road, surrounded by a chain-link fence and dimly lit by a few flickering street lamps. A low mist rolled in from the harbor, blanketing the area in an eerie silence.

Vivian and Dominic crouched behind a stack of shipping containers, their eyes fixed on the loading area ahead. Two men in dark clothing were unloading crates from a black van, their movements quick and methodical. Vivian's stomach tightened as she noticed the logo painted on the crates: Black Lotus.

"This is it," Dominic whispered, barely audible. "They're moving the weapons through this dock."

Vivian nodded, her gaze sharp. "We need to get closer. If we can capture proof of the crates and the van, we might be able to expose this."

She pulled out a small camera, tucking it into the front pocket of her jacket as they crept forward. The ground was uneven, scattered with puddles that gleamed under the faint light, and they had to move carefully to avoid making a sound.

As they neared the van, Vivian raised her camera, snapping quick shots of the scene: the van's license plate, the crates marked with the Black Lotus logo, and the men unloading them. Each click of the shutter felt like a risk, a step closer to being caught, but she knew they needed every piece of evidence they could get.

Just as she was capturing one final image, a voice called out, shattering the quiet.

"Hey! Who's there?"

Vivian's heart stopped. One of the men had noticed them. She exchanged a quick look with Dominic, who grabbed her arm, pulling her back behind the shipping container just as a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

"We need to move," he whispered urgently.

But it was too late. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, and she knew they had no choice but to run.

The Chase

Vivian and Dominic sprinted through the maze of containers, the men's shouts echoing behind them. The dock stretched out in a confusing grid of crates, forklifts, and machinery, offering cover but also making it easy to get lost.

"Over here!" Vivian hissed, pulling Dominic toward a stack of crates. She pressed her back against the metal, struggling to steady her breathing as she listened for their pursuers.

The footsteps slowed, and she heard one of the men mutter, "They must be hiding. Spread out and find them."

Dominic leaned close, his voice barely a whisper. "We need to split up. I'll lead them toward the gate. You slip out through the back."

"No," Vivian replied firmly. "I'm not leaving you here."

"Vivian," he insisted, his eyes dark with worry. "One of us needs to get this evidence out. We can't let Black Lotus know we were here."

She hesitated, her gaze locking with his, but she knew he was right. With a quick nod, she handed him the camera, hoping he could make it to safety.

"Be careful," she whispered, her heart pounding as he disappeared into the shadows.

Vivian took a deep breath, steeling herself before slipping away in the opposite direction. She moved quickly but carefully, weaving through the containers as she headed toward the back gate. Her mind was focused on escape, her senses heightened as she listened for any sign of pursuit.